River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1887-12-15

held in honor Of the late Mrs Jenness Those
who knew Mrs Jenness in her relations TO our
TO her memoryl
We are gathered to-day as one family
to lament the departure of our sister
teacher, and TO pay some fitting tribute to
the memory of a noble woman.
1t is impossible for those who knew
Mrs. Jenness intimately to speak calmly
of our great loss. To have had such COM
partnership is a privilege beyond estima-
ton, and TO have lost such friend is
bereavement unspeakable. In her death
the schools Of St. Paul have lost faithful
worker. a powerful organizer, a teacher Of
teachers, and potent influence for the
advancement of all educational interests.
Mrs. Jenness was an independent think
er. She had the power of grasping quick
ly and completely the foundation princi-
Piles of any truth, and the happy faculty
of presenting them clearly and impress
lively. Thus she was peculiarly fitted for
teacher of theory as well as trainer In
the practice Of teaching.
The same clearness of understanding
enabled her TO project and execute well
laid plans for conducting any enterprise
which she undertook and much of her
success as training teacher may be trac-
ed to her quickness to observe the abili-
ties of others, and her readiness to put
confidence in their ccess,-thus inspir
ing them with confidence in themselves.
The thought of failure, indeed, was not
allowed to enter her plans for herself or
for others. Although possessing retir-
ing and sensitive nature, she never hest
tated nor drew back when plain duty pre-
scented itself. The most formidable obsta-
Gle offered to her an interesting problem,
the solution of which could and must be
found, and her active mind did not rest
till she was master of the situation. Ev-
Ell the most unexpected emergency met
with such ready and vigorous reception
that an observer might suppose that it
had been foreseen, and provided for in
advance.
Mrs. Jenness was truly a professional
teacher. Her work was no mere salaried
appointment chosen to suit her taste and
convenience, or to occupy her spare time.
Teaching was her life, and to exemplify
her ideal of the true teacher was her aim.
To this end all her energies were dispos-
ed. Time, thought, personal property,
salary, all were devoted to the prosperity
of her work, and her efforts were cheer
fully bestowed for the bennett of all the
interests of teaching. How many teach
ers, here and elsewhere, must gratefully
acknowledge the priceless value of her
personal influence, her counsel and her
support.
Four years ago last September, Mrs.
Jenness-with the support of the Supt.
and School Board-organized the st. Paul
Training School, an institution intended
to supplement the work of the High
School, for the purpose of fitting its grad
yates to teach in the city schools. Mrs.
Jenness as principal, and Miss Wheaton,
as director of practice, were the pioneer
workers in the Training School, which
then occupied rooms in the High School
building. Together they selected and
collected materials, planned the work,
and succeeded, not only in demonstra-
ting the practical value of a school for
training teachers, but also in making the
school attractive and popular. The
school has steadily grown, and Mrs. Jen-
ness lived to see it well established, rec
ognized power in the city of st. Paul.
But the organization of this school is
but a finishing touch to the work of a
busy life. Long years of labor in other
fields have given wide range to her in
fluence, and though her voice is silent
her spirit speaks on.
Surely the Immortality of character 10
the teachers crown of lifel
May we so labor that when these vol
ces are still, some word wisely chosen,
some lofty principle shaping itself in dali
ly life, some silent influence becoming a
living presence may continue to speak for
us long after our places as teachers shall
know us no more.
Nov. 10, 1887.